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Shawn Michaels recently shook the wrestling world to its core by changing his stance on a WWE return. For years Michaels was adamant about staying retired and never returning to wrestle another match; but, in an interview with SkySports Mr. WrestleMania did an about turn and announced that he would consider returning for one more match.
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Although Michaels hasn't wrestled since his WrestleMania XXVI loss to The Undertaker, he has stayed near professional wrestling making guest appearances on RAW & working closely with the talent as an NXT trainer.
If Michaels does inevitably return, he will find drastic changes in the roster he left eight years ago. This leads us to ponder & speculate, especially since Michaels told SkySports that he would only wrestle one more match.
We take a look at 5 potential opponents for The Showstopper.
5. Dolph Ziggler
Imitation is the best and most sincere form of flattery, or so the saying goes. Shawn Michaels, however, hasn't always been keen on Dolph Ziggler's career-long HBK imitation. Michaels was a guest on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's podcast and said the following about Dolph, "Ziggler goes a little too far into my pattern....he's a nice kid; but, for his career standpoint now is the time to differentiate yourself."
To add insult to injury, Ziggler recently took things a step further and impersonated a Shawn Michaels entrance complete with Shawn's dance moves, leather chaps, and cowboy hat. Ziggler then took it a step further and mocked Shawn's infamous "I've lost my smile" speech. Who would win this match? Easy. Whoever hits a Superkick first.
4. Johnny Gargano
They don't call him Johnny Wrestling for no reason. Gargano has earned the moniker as one of the greatest technical wrestlers in the world. His recent NXT matches with Andrade Almas and rival Tommaso Ciampa have become legendary classics forever etched in wrestling lore.
In fact, Gargano's recent performances have been so technically exquisite they have earned him comparisons to none other than Shawn Michaels. In Michaels' interview with SkySports, he specifically named Gargano as a potential opponent while simultaneously addressing concerns about his own age.
That's because Michaels knows that if his own body fails, Gargano has proven capable of carrying the match and putting on a classic with any opponent.
3. Tommaso Ciampa
Tommaso Ciampa has become one of NXT's most unpredictable and maniacal heels. Respect is a concept unheard of for the man that cruelly betrayed his own best friend, Johnny Gargano.
Ciampa got wind of Shawn Michaels' potential return and took to Twitter to blatantly mock the WWE Hall of Famer. Ciampa spewed, "There's a reason short haired Shawn Michaels didn't mention me by name. I welcome '97 Shawn back with open arms. Hell, I will even tolerate '09 Shawn. BUT, 2018 Shawn? Give me a break!"
If Ciampa isn't careful, he may indeed get the 2018 Shawn and a Superkick to go with it.
2. Daniel Bryan
A young Daniel Bryan received his wrestling education at Shawn Michaels' Wrestling School. He learned the ropes in the shadow of the legendary WWE Hall of Famer and went on to have a Hall of Fame-worthy career himself.
In what could be an epic match between teacher & student, Bryan vs Michaels promises to be a classic harkening back to the days of Bruno Sammartino and Larry Zybyszko.
1. AJ Styles
He could have a five-star match with a broomstick. That's what wrestling enthusiasts used to say about Shawn Michaels and his ability to carry even the stiffest and most ill-equipped opponents. Now they say that about A.J. Styles. In Shawn Michaels' absence, A.J. Styles has arguably become the greatest wrestler in the world.
Before Royal Rumble 2017 there were rumors that Michaels would come out of retirement to face Styles, whom he considers a worthy opponent. Michaels has often openly fantasized about facing him & gives credit where credit is due, "He's an unbelievably talented young man."
Styles has personally requested matches with Michaels; however, has always been turned down, even when Vince McMahon went to Shawn on Styles' behalf. If Styles requests another one, the WWE Universe may get the dream match we've always wanted.
Which superstar do you think should face Michaels if he returns? Let us know in the comments.
